UNE researcher addresses National Transport Commission

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UNE researcher addresses National Transport Commission

Dr Jann Karp from the University of New England has met with the National Transport Commission to share some of her research findings from a project called “Conversations with Truckies: Looki…

Dr Jann Karp from the University of New England has met with the National Transport Commission to share some of her research findings from a project called “Conversations with Truckies: Looking at Life Through Glass”.

Dr Karp has spent the last three years interviewing truck drivers about life on the road and accompanying them on long haul trips to gain a better understanding of the truck driving culture.

The research Dr Karp has conducted is wide ranging and includes insights into:

the impact of government regulation on drivers

how truck financing influences driver conduct

how GPS and other technologies impact on drivers

the use of amphetamines in the industry

how truck driving impacts family life

Dr Karp’s interest in truck drivers and their unique culture grew out of a career in law enforcement and her subsequent academic studies. Dr Karp did her PhD in the field of police corruption and currently lectures in criminology at the University of New England. She now hopes to publish her research in the form of a book.

“The presentation builds on other activities the NTC undertakes to ensure that the reality of life on the road is taken into account when developing reforms. Obtaining an understanding of the real world impact of reforms and the issues that truck drivers are concerned about is an important part of our work,” said NTC National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Project Director, Dr Sarah Jones.

“Dr Karp’s presentation was particularly timely given that the NTC is in the process of developing a national strategy on compliance and enforcement for heavy vehicles.

“Law and policy doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It has tangible effects on real people. The better we understand those effects the more effective our laws and policies will be,” said Dr Jones.

The University of New England respects and acknowledges that its people, programs and facilities are built on land, and surrounded by a sense of belonging, both ancient and contemporary, of the world's oldest living culture. In doing so, UNE values and respects Indigenous knowledge systems as a vital part of the knowledge capital of Australia.